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 Transportation Today
 

National report says congestion costs time and money

Sitting in traffic continues to cost Puget Sound residents time and money, but it could be worse without recent investments in our transportation network.


A report released recently by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) shows that public transportation and congestion management tools continue to keep our area moving better than other large metropolitan regions. Here are some of the findings:

• Congestion in Seattle is bad, but about average. We are almost exactly at the average per capita values for extra fuel consumed, delay, and added travel time among the 85 largest urban areas in the U.S.;

• Congestion has been kept somewhat in check because of our investments in transit and roadway operational efficiencies. We are 14th largest area in population but have the 8th best fuel/drive time savings from transit and 11th best savings from roadway operational treatments;

• Congestion cost motorists in this region $1.4 billion in 2005 in extra fuel and lost time. That number would have been $225 million higher, if we didn't have the transit programs we have; and $133 million higher if we didn't have HOV lanes, ramp metering, signal synchronization and fast incident response.

• Congestion got worse in 2005 as the economy improved. The average motorist lost 45 hours to delay in 2005 compared to 42 hours in 2004.

Fall auto auction set for Saturday, Oct. 13


King County’s semi-annual vehicle auction featuring dozens of cars, trucks, vans, and a limited amount of heavy equipment will be held Saturday, Oct. 13 at 9 a.m. in Renton.

The popular auction hosted by the Department of Transportation’s Fleet Administration Division will be held at 3005 NE Fourth Street, near the Renton Technical College. A preview will be held Thursday and Friday, Oct. 11 and 12, at the auction site from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Saturday starting at 8 a.m.

This fall’s auction features a large number of vehicles, particularly retired police patrol cars. A more complete preliminary list of auction items is
available online, along with driving directions and auction terms. For more information, visit the auction website.

Hawks at home Sunday

The Seattle Seahawks have a home game Sunday evening against the New Orleans Saints at 5 p.m. at Qwest Field. Why not use Metro Transit to beat the traffic?

There will be special shuttles to Qwest Field from the following park-and-ride lots: Northgate, South Kirkland, Eastgate, Kent/James Street, and Federal Way/South 320th Street. The fare is $3 each way. Or, check the Trip Planner to see if there is regular bus service to the stadium from your starting location.

See Metro Online for details on service to Sunday’s game.

Free shuttles to this weekend’s home show

Metro is offering both regular and special transit service to the Seattle Fall Home Show this weekend at the Qwest Field Events Center.

The show opens on Thursday, Oct. 11 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 14. Show-goers should use regular Metro service to get to the center on Thursday and
Friday.

On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14, Metro offers regular weekend service and free non-stop shuttles every half hour to and from the Northgate, South
Bellevue and South Renton park-and ride lots.

Visit Metro Online for all the details about service to the event.

 
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Updated:  October 08, 2007

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